“(They) inquire if any projects are planned for ‘blank' highway, and ‘fill in the blank' with any roadway they personally have to travel on which is congested,” said Grones, an 18-year TxDOT veteran.

Grones addressed the Sept. 18 Schertz Chamber of Commerce luncheon and is only one of a number of TxDOT representatives making the rounds to various civic groups, businesses and community organizations to get the word out about current and planned changes to roadways in the area, primarily its I-35 Planning and Environmental Linkages (PEL) Study.

According to information from the TimeFor35 website, the I-35 PEL is a partnership between the Alamo Regional Mobility Authority (RMA) and TxDOT “to begin the community discussion and visioning for long-term improvements to the Interstate 35 corridor, from Farm-to-Market Road 1103 to downtown San Antonio.”

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The site said the PEL is the first phase in a multi-year study that will help bring environmental clearance to I-35 for long-term improvements, helping to address the growing congestion on this vital roadway.

Grones said TxDOT wants to hear from drivers in its fourth and final round of public meetings next week, including a 5:30-8 p.m. Wednesday event at the Schertz Civic Center, 1400 Schertz Parkway, next to the City Hall complex.

At the meetings, TxDOT and RMA officials will present information on the PEL study's alternative concept evaluations, the overall PEL process and future steps which will be taken to improve I-35, one of the state's most congested roadways.